Every woman and her menopause is unique and reflexology is there to make the journey that little bit easier – Nicci Morris explains how
Reflexology offers a natural way to regulate your body. It can be very effective in relieving some of the most common menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disruption and feelings of anxiety and low mood.
It is also completely safe to use alongside HRT. The best results happen when other lifestyle changes – diet, exercise, sleep, relaxation – are also taken on board, to become part of a holistic approach.
How can reflexology help with menopause?
Reflexology can help with:
- Sleep Disturbance
- Stress and Anxiety
- Hot Flushes
- Night Sweats
Sleep disturbance
Sleep disturbance is common in menopause and is thought to be associated with a drop in oestrogen levels’. This disrupts sleep, which can then exacerbate other aspects of our health, such as our cognitive functioning.
Reflexology can relieve fatigue and promote better sleep. It can help you to feel calmer and more relaxed. As well as helping you to sleep better, it also improves your mood and overall wellbeing.
Stress and anxiety
Menopause often happens at a time when we can already have high stress levels.
Stress can make menopausal symptoms worse. Elevated cortisol levels (through prolonged levels of stress) also age us faster.
Research has shown that ‘deep relaxation can ease symptoms and allows the body to heal and repair naturally’.
As hormone levels decline, the brain has to adapt. This impacts mood-regulating chemicals, including serotonin and endorphins. Reducing stress can make a significant difference.
‘Reflexology can help to reduce tension and anxiety through relaxation. It can also stabilise emotions and improve mood through balancing hormones.’
Hot flushes and night sweats
Vasomotor symptoms (or hot flushes and night sweats as they are more commonly known) affect 75% of perimenopausal women and can be really disruptive to everyday life.
Research has shown that ‘reflexology (in conjunction with other lifestyle measures) can be really effective in helping to relieve such symptoms’.
Holistic approach
Each woman is different and what they experience during the menopause will vary. That’s why it is important to always look at the person as a whole, what their needs are and how reflexology can best support their personal journey through menopause.
Further information
Research on the effectiveness of reflexology on some menopausal symptoms:
- Asltoghiri, M. and Ghodsi, Z. (2012) ‘The effects of reflexology on sleep disorder in menopausal women’, Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol 31, pp242-46
- Gozuyesil, E, and Baser, M. (2016) ‘The effects of reflexology applied to women aged between 40 and 60 on vasomotor complaints and quality of life’, Complement Ther Clin Pract, Aug, no 24, pp78-85.
- Mahdavipour, F. et al (2019) ‘The effects of reflexology on depression during menopause: A randomised controlled clinical trial’, Complementary Therapies in Medicine, vol 47
- Williamson, J. et al (2002) ‘The effects of reflexology for menopausal women’, BJOG_Oxford, vol 109, no 9, pp1050-55
